While I agree with all of this post, I think the point is, the size of players becomes more of a factor on the smaller Nhl ice. No concerns in regards to Gaudreau based on that I've seen, but the big bodies are harder to skate around in the NHL game and on the smaller ice.
Tell that to Montreal Squid squad. As I recall, i have seen Zdeno Chara fall a few times chasing smaller Habs players. Big players are so overrated. The way Gaudreau plays in NCAA, a game in the NHL and playing in World Championship, I would think the guy can do just fine in a smaller NHL rink. The only thing that scares me is some cheapshot artist will deliberately try to injure him.
You want to ship out the guy who welcomed Gaudreau to Calgary for dirt cheap soon after he shows up? I can't believe that would be a nice impression. I think Hudler should be allowed to retire a Flame if he is willing to take half salary.
Shipping Hudler out for a solid chance at McDavid is one thing. For this draft? No thanks. He's more valuable as a mentor.
As touching a story as that is, I'd trade Hudler for Ekblad without question. The team has lots of guys who can be mentors to rookie players or welcome someone to the city.
Not sure what you are getting at with the retire a Flame bit... the only way a team can get him for half salary is if we retain salary in a trade. Bit of a whoosh moment there, eh?
As touching a story as that is, I'd trade Hudler for Ekblad without question. The team has lots of guys who can be mentors to rookie players or welcome someone to the city.
Not sure what you are getting at with the retire a Flame bit... the only way a team can get him for half salary is if we retain salary in a trade. Bit of a whoosh moment there, eh?
If it's one for one trade then I will do it too but that's just a pipe dream on my end and I know Tallon will not be that stupid. Maybe in NHL14 in XBox or Playstation it might happen. In real life, I want Hudler to be in Flames uniform this season or next.
As touching a story as that is, I'd trade Hudler for Ekblad without question. The team has lots of guys who can be mentors to rookie players or welcome someone to the city.
Not sure what you are getting at with the retire a Flame bit... the only way a team can get him for half salary is if we retain salary in a trade. Bit of a whoosh moment there, eh?
Have you ever started a new job and the guy who on boards you is fired or shipped out soon after you begin? Not a great feeling and really takes the wind out of your sails if you for sure know that he isn't leaving on his own for something better. It's not just a touching story, it's environment. The kids may not feel like playing as hard if someone they look up to is treated like trash or a bargaining chip (because if it happens to someone they look up to, it could definitely happen to them too).
Yeah whoosh moment. Was thinking pay cut not salary retention. Was also thinking that if Hudler was skating on the ice at half his pay, he would be a keeper. But the situation is salary retention, not pay cut.
I'd love to get my hands on one of the big two next summer, but it sure seems like the Flames just don't have the market, climate or attitude to be that bad for that long in a season.
We've had every reason to be top two in the draft each of the past two seasons and just can't get there.
I can't see next year being much different.
A lot of talk about the Flames getting worse next season, and I can certainly see that. I can see them getting better too. The one thing I can't see is getting bad enough over 7 months to draft first ... just doesn't seem to be in their makeup.
So be as good as you can, enjoy the season, because they don't seem to be very good at being bad.
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I'd love to get my hands on one of the big two next summer, but it sure seems like the Flames just don't have the market, climate or attitude to be that bad for that long in a season.
We've had every reason to be top two in the draft each of the past two seasons and just can't get there.
I can't see next year being much different.
A lot of talk about the Flames getting worse next season, and I can certainly see that. I can see them getting better too. The one thing I can't see is getting bad enough over 7 months to draft first ... just doesn't seem to be in their makeup.
So be as good as you can, enjoy the season, because they don't seem to be very good at being bad.
This is why Canadian teams under perform and rarely challenge for the cup!
Top picks in strong drafts are the most reliable way to rebuild. And if you had to pick a three year span to do it, there wouldn't be a better time than now with two very strong drafts in 2013 and 2015. I really do wish we could land McDavid or Eichel next year as we need another top end talent.
It seems like the fans I talk with are all good with another year of rebuilding, but not sure that's management's plan.
I have no problem saying I'd rather have Mcdavid than playoffs next year. If we somehow did make playoffs which would be extremely unlikely we would likely get booted first round. Id rather see Mcdavid helping us compete for cups for the next ten years. People on here might be afraid to admit that as well because of the backlash they'll receive but most people I talk to in real life feel the same way. Either way I'm sure Flames are picking top 5 next year whether we like it or not.
That's fine if you feel that way. Me, I prefer cheering for our team to win each and every year. To each their own!
That's fine if you feel that way. Me, I prefer cheering for our team to win each and every year. To each their own!
Sent from 6 feet under
You'd prefer years and years of cheering for a bubble team that never really challenges for the cup over sucking briefly but then havinh a truly top talented team for once? To each their own, but I've already lived through the better part of 25 years of that plan. Let's try something new!
You'd prefer years and years of cheering for a bubble team that never really challenges for the cup over sucking briefly but then havinh a truly top talented team for once? To each their own, but I've already lived through the better part of 25 years of that plan. Let's try something new!
Losing can create a culture, just as winning can. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be happy with 1st overall next year. Obviously that would be amazing. I'm just saying that a) I'm wary of the team building a losing culture and b) from a personal and selfish perspective, I could never cheer for the Flames to lose and I'm ok with that. Take this year as an example, I would way rather have the Flames play like they did, start building the culture, the support and the room and have the 4th overall pick than tank and have 1st overall.
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Losing can create a culture, just as winning can. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be happy with 1st overall next year. Obviously that would be amazing. I'm just saying that a) I'm wary of the team building a losing culture and b) from a personal and selfish perspective, I could never cheer for the Flames to lose and I'm ok with that. Take this year as an example, I would way rather have the Flames play like they did, start building the culture, the support and the room and have the 4th overall pick than tank and have 1st overall.
I'm happy with how this year went. But there was no McDavid or Eichel in this year's draft. I'm cheering for losses this coming season. Damn proud to admit it too.
I'm happy with how this year went. But there was no McDavid or Eichel in this year's draft. I'm cheering for losses this coming season. Damn proud to admit it too.
I'd love to get my hands on one of the big two next summer, but it sure seems like the Flames just don't have the market, climate or attitude to be that bad for that long in a season.
We've had every reason to be top two in the draft each of the past two seasons and just can't get there.
I can't see next year being much different.
A lot of talk about the Flames getting worse next season, and I can certainly see that. I can see them getting better too. The one thing I can't see is getting bad enough over 7 months to draft first ... just doesn't seem to be in their makeup.
So be as good as you can, enjoy the season, because they don't seem to be very good at being bad.
I think goal tending is the biggest factor in keeping us from reaching the bottom...it's far too good
I'm happy with how this year went. But there was no McDavid or Eichel in this year's draft. I'm cheering for losses this coming season. Damn proud to admit it too.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
Before you call me a pessimist or a downer, the Flames made me this way. Blame them.
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I'm happy with how this year went. But there was no McDavid or Eichel in this year's draft. I'm cheering for losses this coming season. Damn proud to admit it too.
That's fine - I'm damn proud to admit I will never cheer for losses.
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That's fine if you feel that way. Me, I prefer cheering for our team to win each and every year. To each their own!
Sent from 6 feet under
Very noble of you. At the end of the day it's just sports. Yes I cheer for wins but I'm also realistic. We probably won't be in the playoff hunt and likely in the bottom 5. So ya I rather have Mcdavid. At the end of the season this year most people were hoping for better draft position at the end. No different really. Isn't what makes or breaks a fan in my opinion.
